My Number

I have always been really good at flirting. I will admit that. I pretty much flirt with everyone to an extent. I have found that if done correctly it is a good way to pave the way for favors (I am often in need of many) and it makes people feel good about themselves. I don't ever flirt in a way that makes the person feel like they have a chance. I just make them feel interesting and appreicated. A smile goes a long way.

This is how I have always been. Being happily married hasn't changed my natural tendency to sweettalk, especially when I need something, but this time it may have gotten me into some trouble.

I went to my therapist job yesterday to get some paperwork signed. While running around from person to person, I saw a bunch of people that I don't really get to see anymore because I have relegated myself to weekends. One of those familiar faces I will refer to as Ewok. This is because to me he is short and cute in a completely asexual way. He called out, "Hey, stranger!" We made small talk and I went about searching for a signer for my forms.

The wrong person wrote on my forms and so I had to go to the office where he works to ask if I could get a new print out. The receptionist was on the phone and the other 2 were busy. His desk was empty. At that moment he came in and I asked if he could reprint the 2 pages for me. The rest of the conversation went like this...(all snarky comments were made playfully and with a smile.)

Me: Hey can you print out these to pages for me so that I can get ____ to sign them?
Ewok: Oh you finish your internship, disappear and then come ask for favors?
Me: What internship? I finished that way before I even met you!
Ewok: Oh. So what was that coming in all those days?
Me: I work here.
Ewok: Oh. So you're legit, on the payroll. We need to get you trained and put you on the schedule up here.
Me: No, thank you. Crazy people come in here.
Ewok: Well, now my feelings are hurt. You can print it out yourself.
Me: Alright then.
NurseICan'tStand: Tiffany?!?
Me: No.
NICS: Oh you look like Tiffany.
Me: Nope. It's Janaan.
NICS: Oh. Ok.

I print my sheets and go to the copier, but there is nothing there.

Me: Where does your stuff print out?
Ewok: Did you select a printer? Where did you send it? You need to select the RICO printer. Are you just sending things without checking?
Me: I figure you should know where your machine prints to. Why would I change it? (I go to select the printer and it won't accept the option) It is not working. It doesn't recognize that printer.
Ewok: Oh, now you broke it. I knew I shouldn't have let you over here. You have the machine all messed up.
Me: Well if you had done it for me like I asked this would not be a problem.

After trying and failing a few more times. I check the copier and my original attempt was there.

Me: Well, my stuff came out, but your machine is still messed up. Sorry. I don't want to push anymore buttons and make it worse, but thanks for the copies. *Smile
Ewok: When you work again?
Me: August
Ewok: Must be nice to not have to work.
Me: I did the whole month of June and last week, which means I was here in July.
Ewok: (slightly muffled) I don't know if I can wait til August to see you again.
Me: (Ignore. Walk Away)

I finally got my paperwork to the right person and on my way out had to pass by Ewok's desk. As I went through the office he put up the "Wait a Minute" finger and I stopped because he was back at his computer and figured that he wanted to ask me about what I did to his printer connection.

As I stop in front of his desk, he slides a sticky note pad and pen at me. I look at it and then at him as he looks away and say, "What am I supposed to do with that?" Then it dawns on me. He wants my phone number. Is he the only person in this building who does not know that I am married? Does the ring on my finger just not register with him. The tall guy who works next to him comes over and says, "So you just going to stand there?" I say, "He passed me this note, but didn't say what he expects me to do with it." Tall Guy says, "Just shake your head and walk away." That confirmed my suspicions.

All I could say next was, "For real, Dude." Then he took my phone as I was dialing my main job to say I was on my way back and punched in his number. I realized that I was at my place of employment and surpressed all those words that Jesus has worked so hard to purge and walked out.

I promptly called Husband to make fun of the situation. I am so glad that I married a cool guy who knows me and trusts my judgement. Then sent the text, "I didn't want to say anything embarassing, but I want to be clear. We can be cool, but I am happily married, if that was your intention." He responded like the good guy I thought he was. It was a simple, Oh. I didn't know. I respect that." I said he was short, not trifflin'.

What knocked me a little was something Husband said when I got home and showed him the text. He said, "I don't expect you to handle things like me, but I just wouldn't have called." Yeeeaaahhh...about that. I had to explain to him that I have to work with this person and being a jerk is not going to make my Saturdays run smoothly. Secondly, all my information is posted in the office and the last thing I need is for him to misinterpret my silence as "playing hard to get" and start calling texting or show up at my house. (Client privacy is protected, therapist privacy is a joke at my current site.) So before we all end up on the news, I took care of it.

I dodged bullet that time, but it did make me wonder if it might be time for me to retire that smile!